Thanks!
I was trying to do 3 runs comparing the 250-300km/t times for each stage, but for some reason I cannot get above 260km/t when using the stock firmware.
And on a more serious note, any ideas on how/where to install the video recorder for hands-free recording near the instrument panel and to avoid shaking?

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

I will try!
Normally it isn't safe or legal to do +150km/h here in China (unlike Germany), and below 100km/h finding traction may be an issue - but lets see what is possible this weekend!

PS the part about doing +250km/h runs to show the difference between the tunes was just me trying to be a little funny. Don't worry! ;-)

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

Order the tune this week. Sadly, we don't pick the car up til June 4 in Munich and will have to wait the 1,200 miles before installing the tune. But, we'll get to test it full out afterwards Also having the build a valet tune into the unit.

I do not have problems with traction with Stg2 ESS using DCT. I use Sport+ mode and just floor it from a stop in M1.

What I have found is that here in China traction is not a problem on toldroads/highways, but on normal roads, and especially here in the City of Tianjin, traction is a big problem due to the poor and dusty road surfaces. Even if the traffic allows for it, there is no way to enjoy stage 2, and if you try, you cannot stop again...

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

I finally got a chance to shoot the videos today! But because we got a bit too enthusiastic playing with the camera in the morning, it ran out of battery before I was able to make videos of stage 1 and normal OEM performance. And since the expressway is far away from my home, I did not make another run after recharging. BTW I only found out about the dead camera battery after changing back to OEM settings, so now Im driving the car as it was from factory. It is actually the first time I switch directly from stage 2 to OEM and the difference is quite shocking!

Anyhow, it would only be fair to ESS to compare with OEM performance in another video, because conditions always vary. I dont believe the fuel here in China is of the same quality as in Europe for instance. No matter what, it's more than certain to me that the ESS stage 2 performance on my 35i is really there. Whether its more drivable, or if it offers better fuel economy or sound I'm not always 100% sure, but there is no doubt the extra performance is there.

I used a rather low video resolution to keep file sizes to a minimum, but I hope you enjoy them anyway.

DTC M-mode, Sport+, Chinese 97 octane, with passenger on expressway:

Password: "BMW" (After opening the link, just type in the password, and press enter - My apologizes on behalf of youku for the lack of English language on the website)

As you can see the S-mode changes gears earlier - and causes what seems to be wheelspin at around 100km/h

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

Man, I would love to do this but alas, my '09 doesn't have the oil cooler I've done quite a bit of searching, but all I come up with are upgrades to stock cooler, but not installing one from scratch. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction thanks

No problem! Vimeo is also blocked here in China, but please remember that I had a passenger on-board etc etc. Anyhow, we are driving 1500kg+ cars and the relative torque difference between is-overboost and stg2 probably isn't dramatic. Im very happy I got the ESS tune, but you are most likely better off investing in some sun lotion instead as we are now entering the top-down Z-son (season)

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

Man, I would love to do this but alas, my '09 doesn't have the oil cooler I've done quite a bit of searching, but all I come up with are upgrades to stock cooler, but not installing one from scratch. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction thanks

Man, I would love to do this but alas, my '09 doesn't have the oil cooler I've done quite a bit of searching, but all I come up with are upgrades to stock cooler, but not installing one from scratch. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction thanks

Asbjorn, your ESS tuned Z4 seems slow - seriously. Esp. compared to UBI's video. Although there is a big difference in ambient temps, for a TUNED Z4 it definitely should be faster. Should do a dyno test.

I remember I reset my adaptation values after the tune and it was faster, by using a Bavarian Technic tool.

Asbjorn, your ESS tuned Z4 seems slow - seriously. Esp. compared to UBI's video. Although there is a big difference in ambient temps, for a TUNED Z4 it definitely should be faster. Should do a dyno test.

I remember I reset my adaptation values after the tune and it was faster, by using a Bavarian Technic tool.

Well, it does not feel slow, and I doubt I will be able to find a dyno here... If it is indeed not putting down the best numbers, it could be that my airfilter is full of dirt, because the air-polution is pretty significant over here and we also get dust storms and I never had it checked. Is it possible? Or it could be the poor fuel quality which varies from station to station in China. No matter, the differences between normal/stg1/stg2 are definetely there. I will try preparing some more videos and check back in with you...

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Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).

Little known facts about BMW: 1) The N54 is still in production and used in the current Z4 35i and 35is. 2) In a Z4 you can get sport+ steering combined with normal suspension etc by selecting DSC=off. (Update: DSC=off also offers sports steering in the M135i) 3) All Z4s with 19" wheels are still only offered with the worst performing OEM tires ever sold with a DCT equipped BMW (Potenza RE 050 RFT).